FLOWERY BRANCH — In the wake of Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins’ strong performance against the Buccaneers on Thursday night and Michael Penix Jr. being out with knee surgery, Falcons coach Raheem Morris said “everything will be on the table” this offseason when they look at the quarterback position.

Penix could recover in time to start next season, but if he takes longer, a quarterback will be needed to start the season. Cousins was signed to a four-year, $140 million deal in free agency before the 2024 season. A few months later, the Falcons drafted Penix with the eighth overall pick in the NFL draft.

Morris was asked if Penix can’t start, whether Cousins would be an option. He’s set to have a $57.5 million salary-cap hit next season.

“Everything’s on the table,” Morris said. “Obviously, we all will sit down at the end of the season, and we’ll have all those discussions. Certainly be a part of it.

“Like when we went down the journey with Kirk Cousins, we planned on, we’re about a year before his contract and potentially get more. So we’ll see where that goes and all those types of things. We’ll get Mike back next year.”

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Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris (center) watches Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (left) and quarterback Kirk Cousins work during the Falcons’ joint practice with the Tennessee Titans at the Falcons Practice Facility in Flowery Branch on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025.
(Miguel Martinez/AJC)

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